Window lifter, controlling device for a window lifter and method for the control of a window lifter

ABSTRACT

An electronic controlling device with a computer unit installed to control a regulating device especially a window lifter of a motor driven vehicle is provided. The computer unit stops a regulating motion of the window lifter drive or starts a program to stop the regulating device of the window lifter drive, if a signal correlating to the rotary moment of the window lifter drive exceeds a response level. In the setting range of a starting motion from standstill of the window lifter drive, the response level is a setting range dependant and/or time-related dependant preset function with at least one parameter determining the course of this function, which value is modified in dependence from the starting motion of the window lifter drive.

The invention relates to a window lifter, a controlling device of awindow lifter, and a method for the control of a window lifter.

A method is known from DE 197 45 597 A1 for the control and regulationof the regulating motion of a translatory adjustable component,especially a window lifter in motor vehicles. An efficient protectionagainst crushing, taking into considering a sufficient adjustment forcein restriction areas and forces affecting the vehicle body, conditionedby external forces, is guaranteed according to this method for thecontrol and regulation of the regulating motion of the translatoryadjustable component, with a regulating device, a driving device andcontrolling electronics. The driving device produces a regulating force,which equals the total necessary force for the adjustment of thecomponent and is a superfluous force, whereby the sum is smaller orequal to a permitted crush force. The adjustment force or thesuperfluous force is regulated in dependence from forces affecting thebody of the vehicle or pieces thereof.

The solution guarantees a crush protection beyond the entire adjustmentarea, which also fulfils very high safety requirements. Additionally, itis assured that the regulating force is also sufficient in restrictionareas and that a regulating device adjusts a translatory adjustablecomponent gently on the material and considering the externallyaffecting influences on the vehicle body according to the specificationof the operator. The forces affecting the vehicle body or theacceleration forces are hereby understood as external forces, which arenot immediately caused by the regulating device or by a driving device,but for example occur because of the bad condition of a road (drivingover a hole) or at closing the vehicle door.

The regulation of the adjustment force or the superfluous force occurspreferably in dependence from the moving direction of the translatoryadjustable component and from the acceleration forces occurring in thepredominant direction of affect in such a way, that the adjustment forceis always smaller or equal to the permitted crush force. If anacceleration force affects the vehicle body and supports the closingmotion of a translatory adjustable component, the threshold ispreferably decreased. In the event of an acceleration force directedagainst the closing motion, the threshold is increased. Accordingly, theadjusting force is always sufficient such that the closing motion issecurely continued and a crush protection is guaranteed.

It is furthermore provided, that at an occurrence of changingacceleration forces, effecting the vehicle body within a determined timeframe, a regulation of the adjustment force or the superfluous force isinterrupted and a threshold is preset in such a way that the adjustmentforce is always smaller or equal to the permitted crushing force. Thetime frame may be for example 100 ms. This kind of execution considersthat the threshold does not always change within a short time frame atalways changing acceleration forces affecting the vehicle body, whichcould lead to an impairment of the movement of the translatoryadjustable component. By presetting a fixed threshold, which is alwayssmaller or equal to the permitted crush force, both a secure movement ofthe translatory adjustable component as well as a crush protection areguaranteed.

The acceleration forces affecting the vehicle body are preferablydetected by a sensor, which may be a digital sensor. Digital signals canbe further processed in control regulation electronics. For theadjustment of the regulation, one or more time-related successivesignals of the sensor can be evaluated by the control and regulationelectronics. The repeated evaluation of the sensor provides for the safeidentification of a simultaneous occurrence of the acceleration forcescaused by external influences and the forces conditional by a case ofcrushing.

A driving device for a motor driven vehicle is known from DE 195 17 958.The rotation of the drive is immediately stopped at the driving devicefor an electric window lifter if an obstacle is put against the movementof the window as the motor turns motor. The driving device serves forthe opening and closing of the moveable piece (window) and can beselectively started and stopped.

An electrical power meter device measures the power of the power runningthrough the drive in a starting compensation time, a current powerchanging detector device determines a current power increment from thedetermined power at each constant time frame, and a driving controllingdevice delivers a first or a second control signal to the drivingdevice, whereby the driving operation is continued with the first signaldepending from the polarity of the current power increment and the driveis immediately stopped with the second signal of the drive.

Two selection switches mark the direction of the drive, a pair ofpush-buttons for the respective driving directions and two self-changingswitches for the two directions of the drive enable a rotation of themotor via actuating one of the push-buttons.

It is an object of the present invention to increase the safety devicesof a window lifter of a power-driven vehicle. This object is solved bythe electronic controlling device with the characteristics of claim 1,the window lifter with the characteristics of claim 43, by thecontrolling device with the characteristics of claim 42. Advantageousfurther executions of the invention are set out in the sub-claims.

A regulating device of a power-driven vehicle is therefore providedwhich is controlled by a computer unit which is configured for thefollowing described method. For the control, a programmable (EEPROM) orfixed wired (ROM) program is started in the computer unit which is forexample a micro controller. A regulating motion of the window liftermechanism is thereby stopped or a method to stop the regulating motionof the window lifter mechanism is started when a signal correlating tothe rotary moment of the window lifter mechanism exceeds a responselevel. The response level is thereby not a constant threshold value buta preset function in the regulating range of a starting motion from astandstill of the window lifter mechanism. The response level ispreferably dependent on the setting range or time by the presetfunction. This function can for example be displayed graphically byapplying the setting time or range on the abscissa and the responselevel dependent from it on the ordinate. The course of this function isdetermined by at least one parameter, which value is changed independence from the starting motion of the window lifter mechanism.

The signal correlating to the rotary moment of the window liftermechanism is for example a driving power or a measured force affectingthe drive, and preferably a time-related change of the regulating speedof the window lifter mechanism. Depending on the used measured size ofthe signal, it can take positive or negative values. Correlating valuesto this signal, for example signals derived from this signaltime-related or locally—are compared with the response level. Theregulating motion of the window lifter mechanism is stopped independence of this comparative result.

The regulating range of the starting motion goes from the position ofthe previous standstill of the window lifter mechanism to the adjustmentof the window pane with essentially constant regulating speed, if theregulating motion was not stopped automatically or manually by a user,whereby in this case the regulating range of the starting motion isrespectively shortened. The regulating range can for example be definedaccording to time, which means that the regulating range of the startingmotion is defined for a determined regulating time since standstill, theregulating range can alternatively be defined by the setting range whichmeans that the regulating range is defined for example by a determinednumber of driving rotations.

The values of the response level varying by the functional coherence aredefined by the course of this function within the setting range. Thefunction is for example a linear function in a simple form of executionof the inventionY=mx+AY is thereby the value of the response level and x is the setting rangeor the setting time within the setting range of the starting motion. Thelinear function shows furthermore the parameter m and A.

A value of at least one of the parameters of the function according tothe invention is at least once changed in dependence from the startingmotion of the window lifter mechanism. The course of the response levelis adjusted to the starting conditions within the setting range of thestarting motion.

According to one embodiment of the present inventive method, the valueof the parameter changes only once by defining the value as startingvalue of a mathematical relation of the regulating speed in the settingrange of the starting motion. The parameter value A of the above linearfunction is for example calculated by a proportionality factor as thementioned mathematical relation from this ratio of the regulating speedbefore standstill of the window lifter mechanism and the maximalregulating speed in the setting range of the starting motion.

Another especially advantageous embodiment of the present inventionprovides that the value of at least one of the parameters within thesetting range of the starting motion is determined and changed severaltimes. Different variants can thereby be used alternatively or combinedas follows.

The starting motion is advantageously determined in a first variant bymeasuring a regulating speed. The modification of the parameter valueoccurs in dependence from one or several measured regulating speeds. Asecond preferred variant provides that the modification of the parametervalue occurs in dependence of a time-related modification of theregulating speed of the starting motion. According to a thirdembodiment, the power consumption is measured during the course of theprocess and the starting motion is determined by measuring of theconsumed power by the window lifter mechanism. The modification of theparameter value occurrs in dependence of one or several power values ofthe starting motion.

Preferably, a continuous calculation of the modification of theparameter value occurs in a further embodiment of the invention. Thecontinuous calculation effects a permanent after-learning of the courseof the response level, by determining the preferably current value ofthe parameter in dependence of the previous value of the parameter andthe current value to the signal correlating to the rotary moment,especially the time-related modification of the regulating speed.

An advantageous further embodiment of the invention includes, inaddition to the function of the response level, a learning function. Thelearning function thereby fulfils the purpose of determining the newsubsequent value of the parameter by a comparison of the current valueto the signal correlating to the rotary moment. The learning functioncan thereby be typically identical to the function of the response leveland only differentiate by different parameters. Alternatively, alearning function is preferably selected which is typically verydifferent, which effects an objective (purposeful) modification of theparameter. The modification of the parameter value in dependence from amathematical relation to the signal correlating to the rotary momentpreferably occurs in this further embodiment, especially of thetime-related modification of the regulating speed to a learning functionvalue of the learning function.

In addition to this further execution, it is provided in a furtherembodiment of the invention, that the parameter values effect back tothe course of the learning function, by calculating the power parametervalue of the learning function value of the learning function independence from a least one previous parameter value before thecalculation.

The above mentioned continuous modifications of the value of theparameter are preferably combined with the also above described one-timemodification of the parameter value at the start of the regulation inthe setting range of the starting motion by determining a starting valueof the parameter for the modification. Different variants are possibleto modify the parameter value by a starting value which may, as well,all be combined.

In a first, especially simple variant, the starting value is read outfrom a storage as a preset value. This preset value can be programmedand stored into memory as a standard value or be later learned accordingto several regulating processes. A second variant, preferably combinedwith this first variant provides that the starting value is determinedin dependence from the maximal regulating speed in the setting range ofthe starting motion. This can occur in a preferred other embodiment bydetermining the starting value from a mathematical relation of theregulating speed before standstill of the window lifter mechanism to themaximal regulating speed in the setting range of the starting motion.

An advantageous further embodiment of the invention provides a computerunit which is set up to indicate at least one input value, preferably atime value or a range value or a combination of the two into thefunction. The range value is for example a measured regulating path or adriving path of the drive of the regulating device. The computer isadditionally set up to indicate at least one output value from thefunction which especially corresponds to the response level. The inputand output occurs preferably continuously so as to calculate acontinuous modification of the threshold. The function values have to berecalculated entirely for each modification in a simple case, so thatall function values of a motion travel or a motion time are stored in amemory of the computer unit. Diverging from this it is sufficient tocalculate the next following function value or the next followingfunction values as well as its respective modification, to reduce forexample the necessary calculating capacity of the computer unit.

The function is adjusted to the transient response to the startingmotion in an advantageous embodiment of the invention. The transientresponse is caused by several accelerating and braking processes of thedriving motion during the starting of the regulating device, especiallyfrom the opposite direction. The transient process can thereby showseveral vibrations of the signal correlating to the rotary moment, whichshould not be evaluated as blockage of the regulating motion. These needto be distinguished by the computer from a blockage caused for exampleby a crush case. For differentiation, the threshold function of the formof the vibrations is adjusted in such a way that it does not cut thecourse of the correlating signal during a normal operation, i.e. ifthere is no crush case, but is only a little distance.

To this end, an advantageous further embodiment of the inventionprovides for a function in that the amount is at least section-wise adecreasing function and preferably continuous.

In principle, a multiple number of functions should be usedadvantageously for the task. Especially advantageous and simple to berealized functions are linear functions, a logarithmic function or anexponential function.

An algorithm to stop an exceeding response level is advantageouslyactivated only when a blockage of the regulating motion can occur basedon the starting of the motion of the element needing to be regulated forthe regulating device. For this, the stopping algorithm is activatedaccording to the determination of the maximum (n_(max)) of theregulating speed (n) in the starting motion.

The invention is further related to a window lifter of a motor vehiclehaving a window lifter drive to regulate the position of a window panevia a mechanical coupling between the window lifter drive and the windowpane, the mechanical coupling being a cable pull which is connected withthe window pane, a cable drum which is effectively and mechanicallyconnected with the window lifter drive, and a controlling devicepreferably comprising a computer unit for the above mentionedcontrolling characteristics.

Furthermore, the invention includes a controlling device of a windowlifter of a motor driven vehicle, comprising motive agents for poweringa window lifter drive, sensory agents to sensibilize the regulatingmotion of the window lifter drive, and a computer unit arranged toexecute a program whereby a regulating motion of the window lifter driveis stopped or a method to start the stopping of the regulating motion ofthe window lifter drive, when a signal correlating to the rotary momentof the window lifter drive exceeds a response level, whereby theresponse level in the setting range of a starting motion from standstillof the window lifter drive is a preset function especially dependant onthe setting range and time with at least one parameter determining thecourse of this function, which value is changed in dependence from thestarting motion of the window lifter drive.

The invention is set out below and explained in more detailed accordingto examples embodiments with reference to the following schematicgraphical views and drawings.

The drawings depict:

FIG. 1 a schematic view of curve progressions during a starting motion,and

FIG. 2 a schematic view of curve progression with a later learnedthreshold function and a crush case during a starting motion.

The courses and functions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 refer to a concreteembodiment of the invention. An aim of this concrete embodiment is toreduce the force which is effective on a squeezed body part during thestarting motion of a window lifter. To avoid an injury of the crushedbody part, the regulating motion is stopped immediately afterrecognition of the crush case. The regulating motion is reversed afterthe stopping to release the crushed body part.

A computer unit evaluates a signal n for the recognition of the crushcase which correlates to the rotary moment of the drive. This signal isthe rotary frequency n of the drive in this embodiment and thetime-related modification of the rotary frequency dn/dt deviated fromit.

A crushing of a body part between the pane surface and the door frameeffects an immediate braking of the regulating speed as well as abraking of the driving speed coupled to the mechanics of the windowlifter. The significant braking in a crush case results in a significantnegative value of the modification of the rotary frequency dn/dt. Ifthis negative value exceeds a response level s(t), a regulating motionof the window lifter mechanism is stopped. This stopping decision canoccur at further conditions, for example several successive negativevalues below the response level s(t). Several of these conditions canalso be evaluated time-successively, so that in this embodiment, aprogram to stop the regulating motion of the window lifter mechanism isadvantageously started, when the first negative value remains under theresponse level s(t).

In contrast to a constant threshold, the response level s(t) is afunction, which falls valuewise in this embodiment in FIG. 1 and isdeveloped as an e-function. The initial value A_(SO) at time t₀ isdetermined from the ratio of the regulating speed before a previousstopping and the maximal starting idle-running speed n_(max). Thismodification of the course of the response level s(t) by themodification of the initial value A_(S0) enables one to already adjustthe detection characteristics of the crush case for different startingbehavior.

A further improvement of the sensibility of the crush detection isobtained by application of the learning curve l(t) (dotted line in FIGS.1 and 2). This learning curve l(t) is arranged within the responseenvelope of the response level s(t), as shown in FIG. 1. The FIG.further depicts an initial learning value A₁₀ at time t₀ whichcorrelates to the initial value A_(S0) of the response level s(t).

A post learning at time t, is shown in FIG. 2. The learning curve l(t)cuts the curve of the time-related modification of the rotary frequencydn/dt at time t₁. This intersection is determined mathematically andsubsequent redetermination of both the learning curve l(t) as well asthe response level s(t), by recalculating the initial values A₁₀ andA_(S0) in such a way that the learning curve l(t) would just not cut thecurve of the time-related modification of the rotary frequencyd_(n)/d_(t) anymore, as shown in FIG. 2. In the computer unit of thecontrolling device of the window lifter for the modification of theresponse level, parameter values, especially the initial value A_(S0),is overwritten in the memory of the computer unit for this or the newvalue is updated in a continuous list to be able to draw conclusionsfrom the learning process.

Additionally, the determination of a crush case is shown in FIG. 2 attime t_(EK). The course of the time-related modification of the rotaryfrequency dn/dt deviates from the normal starting behavior in the caseof a crush. The deviation is shown as a dotted line in FIG. 2. Thestrong braking caused by the crush process leads therefore tosignificant negative values of the modification of the speed of thedrive dn(t)_(EK)/dt. This exceeds, by several times, the response levels(t) value-wise. Several exceeding values will be determined and thenthe electro-drive will be stopped and the driving direction reversed.

An advantageous variant of execution of the invention provides that acalculation for the modification of the parameter value in dependencefrom the detection of a minimum of the signal (dn/dt, n) correlating tothe rotary frequency occurs, especially the time-related modification(dn/dt) of the regulating speed (n). A calculation of the modificationof the parameter value occurs thereby preferably in dependence from thevalue of the signal correlating to the sampling point (t_(min)) of theminimum.

A concrete development of this variant is shown schematically in FIG. 3.The function is a linear function of the above described form in thisdesignS(t)=m*t+A′

The initial value A′ is defined as a sampling point t_(min). Thissampling point is determined by detecting the minimum of the firstdeviation dn(t)/dt of the rotary frequency n according to time t. Thiscan for example occur according to the second deviation of the rotaryfrequency n according to time t and a zero transmission detection. Atsampling time t_(min), the value of the function S(t) is set on a valuewhich is offset to a threshold value offset from the sampling valuedn/dt to the sampling time t_(min). An after-learning of the responselevel S(t) of the crush protection occurs to and at the sampling pointst₂ and t₃. In this embodiment, an after-learning occurs thereby in aform of a step function, which exclusively reduces the differencebetween the response level S(t) and the first deviation dn(t)/dt of therotary frequency n according to time. In addition, an after-learningoccurs exclusively, if the first deviation dn(t)/dt of the rotaryfrequency n according to time t accepts negative values.

Reference List

-   n Rotary frequency of the electro-drive-   dn/dt time-related change of the rotary frequency-   s(t) response level-   A_(So) initial value of the response level to time to-   t₀ starting time-   n_(max) starting idle-running speed-   l(t) learning curve-   A₁₀ initial learning curve-   t₁, t₂, t₃ learning time points-   dn(t)_(EK)/dt Course of the time-related modification of the rotary    frequency during a crush case-   t_(EK) crush case time-   t_(min) time of a minimum of the time-related modification of the    rotary frequency-   t time

The text of all pending claims, (including withdrawn claims) is setforth below. Cancelled and not entered claims are indicated with claimnumber and status only. The claims as listed below show added text withunderlining and deleted text with. The status of each claim is indicatedwith one of (original), (currently amended), (canceled), (withdrawn),(new), (previously presented), or (not entered).

1. An electronic controlling device, comprising: a regulating device forregulating a drive of a motor vehicle window lifter, and a computer unitprogrammed and arranged to effect a halting or initiation of a haltingof the regulating device in response to a detection of a drive signalexceeding a response level by a preset function, the response levelbeing a time regulated and setting dependent preset function, the presetfunction being within a setting range of a starting motion from astandstill with at least one parameter determined in the course ofpreset function having a value which is changed in accordance with thestarting motion of the drive.
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. (canceled)5. (canceled)
 6. (canceled)
 7. (canceled)
 8. (canceled)
 9. (canceled)10. (canceled)
 11. (canceled)
 12. (canceled)
 13. (canceled) 14.(canceled)
 15. (canceled)
 16. (canceled)
 17. (canceled)
 18. (canceled)19. A method for controlling a regulating device of a motor vehicle byinitiating a halting of a drive arranged to drive the regulating device,the halting initiated if a signal correlating to the rotary moment ofthe drive exceeds a response level, the method comprising the steps of:initiating a halting if the response level is one of a setting range andtime dependent function from start of the drive from the standstill withat least one parameter determining a course of this function, whichvalue is changed in dependence from the starting motion of the drive.20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the steps of:determining the starting motion by measuring a regulating speed of thedrive; and modifying the parameter value in dependence of one or severalmeasured regulating speeds.
 21. The method according to claim 19,wherein the step of modifying further comprises the step of modifyingparameter value in dependence of a signal derivation with respect to thetime or to the setting range.
 22. The method according to claims 19,further comprising the steps of: determining starting motion bymeasuring consumed current of the drive, and modifying the parameter independence of one or several current values of the starting motion. 23.The method according to claim 19, further comprising the steps of:continuously calculating and modifying the parameter according to aprevious parameter value and according to the signal relating to therotary moment or the derivation of the signal relating to the rotarymoment.
 24. The method according to claim 19, further comprising thesteps of: calculating a modification of the parameter value, themodification occurring dependence of a detected minimum of the signalcorrelating to a rotary moment or of a detected minimum of thederivation of the signal correlating to the rotary moment.
 25. Themethod according to claim 24, further comprising the step of:calculating a modification of the parameter value, the modificationbeing in dependence of a value of the detected minimum.
 26. The methodaccording to claim 19, further comprising the steps of: modifying theparameter value in accordance with a learning function value of alearning function and in dependence from a mathematical relation to thesignal or the derivation of the signal.
 27. The method according toclaim 26, wherein the learning function value of the learning functionis currently calculated in dependence from at least one previousparameter value.
 28. The method according to claim 19, furthercomprising the step of defining a starting value of the parameter. 29.The method according to claim 28, wherein the starting value is definedin dependence from a maximal regulating speed in a setting range of astarting motion.
 30. The method according to claim 28, wherein thestarting value is defined from a mathematical ratio of a regulatingspeed before standstill of the drive and Ha maximal regulating speed inthe setting range of the starting motion.
 31. (canceled)
 32. (canceled)33. (canceled)
 34. The method according to claim 19, wherein thefunction is a decreasing function at least by sections according to itsvalue, which particularly decreases continuously.
 35. (canceled) 36.(canceled)
 37. (canceled)
 38. The method according to claims 19, furthercomprising the step of activating an algorithm to stop at exceeding theresponse level according to a determination of a maximum regulatingspeed in the starting motion.
 39. (canceled)
 40. (canceled) 41.(canceled)
 42. (canceled)
 43. (canceled)
 44. (canceled)
 45. The methodaccording to claim 21, wherein the signal is the regulating speed. 46.The method according to claim 25, wherein the mathematical relation is alearning function differing from the response level.
 47. The methodaccording to claim 19, further comprising the step of adjusting thefunction to a transient response of the starting motion.